ID: Obama Sweeps With 80 Percent

By David Brown
Barack Obama swept the Idaho Democratic caucuses like a sudden blizzard, getting 80 percent of the vote to Hillary Clinton's 15 percent. He made a short visit here on Saturday, packing an arena at Boise State and leaving about 2,000 people outside while he spoke.

Seats were in short supply again last night when Democrats in Ada County, where Boise is located, caucused at the 6,800-seat Qwest Arena. Local party officials came armed with 9,000 ballots. They distributed them to the people inside, and to the people snaking around the building outside, until they ran out. They replenished their supply with 5,000 more, run off at a local copy center.

The last time around, when the caucuses were held in March, only 5,000 people in entire state participated. Some observers believe this year's turnout may be 10 times that.

Republicans will hold their primary in May. Voters do not register by party in Idaho; they attest to their allegiance on caucus night or primary day.